Botulinum Toxin A Inj. improves Depression

DENVER Botulinum toxin A, commonly known as Botox, has an antidepressive effect when injected between the eyebrows that continues beyond the cosmetic effects of the injection, according to the results of a new study. The fact that the antidepressive effect continued after the wrinkles reappeared suggests that the elevated mood isn't just related to cosmetic improvements, which is "profound and unexpected," said study investigator Michelle Magid, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern in Austin. She presented the research here at the American Academy of Dermatology 72nd Annual Meeting. There have been anecdotal reports of improvements in mood after botulinum treatments, but it hasn't been clear whether these were a direct effect on mood or whether they were secondary effects from cosmetic improvement, said Dr. Magid. One pilot study showed that botulinum injection improved depressive symptoms in 9 of 10 patients (Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:645-649).